‘Forcible’ entry of non-Hindus into Trimbakeshwar temple: SIT formed, opposition worries about communal tension

Two days after a group of youths from a different religion tried to enter Nashik’s Trimbakeshwar temple, the Maharashtra government has registered an FIR and a Special Investigation Team under an Additional Director General rank officer to probe the matter. (SIT) has been ordered.

The home minister’s office on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of four Trimbakeshwar residents and a case has been registered against them under sections 295 and 511 of the Indian Penal Code.

Notably, the SIT will probe not only the recent incident of May 13 but also the alleged similar incident of last year.

Increase in incidents of communal violence

Hindutva organizations have demanded action against the youths, while the opposition has expressed concern over rising incidents of communal tension in the state.

In the last one week, two cases of communal violence have been reported in Akole and Shegaon.

The local temple organization alleges that youths from a different religion attempted to enter the temple despite clear signs allowing entry only to Hindus.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that strict action will be taken in the matter. I have given instructions to take strict action in the matter. Law and order is the responsibility of the state. And strict action will be taken against the guilty,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on appointing the SIT that it would investigate a similar incident which allegedly took place last year during the MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi) rule.

‘Forced’ entry into the temple

One of the people holding flowers during the incident told reporters on Saturday that he knew about the temple rules since childhood and had been offering incense on the steps of the temple for many years. “There was no intention to go inside the temple”, he clarified while speaking to a group of local journalists in Nashik.

While Hindutva organizations have alleged that it was an attempt to forcefully enter the temple, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane on Tuesday called it an act by “jihadis” that needed to be stopped.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the alleged attempt to demand entry into the Trimbakeshwar temple and offer incense sticks to the deity was “gravely worrying”.

State President-BJP Maharashtra Mahila Morcha Chitra Kishor Wagh thanked Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis for promptly registering an FIR and setting up an inquiry into the trespass incident.

He pointed out that such “intrusions” had started during former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s government and criticized his lack of action. … Then Uddhav Thackeray’s eyes were blindfolded when God Dharma was being insulted. Now the SIT is going to investigate those incidents as well. This is not a weak government of Uddhav Thackeray, but a strong government of Shinde-Fadnavis, which is ready to protect God and religion.

Expressing concern over the incidents of communal violence in Maharashtra, NCP State President and former Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil said that the Home Department needs to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Speaking to the media, Patil said, “It is a matter of concern that a riot-like atmosphere is being created at various places in Maharashtra and the Home Department should take steps to get to the bottom of this incident.”

He stressed the importance of preventing communal riots, whether arising out of misunderstandings or deliberate acts, and called for proactive measures to maintain peace and harmony in the state. Patil urged the state government to take immediate steps to deal with the situation and ensure that such incidents do not recur.